Clean Transport Investment: Spiro, operating in Benin and other African markets, secured a landmark $215M equity round to expand its battery-swapping network and electric mobility infrastructure—aimed at cutting fuel dependence and improving air quality. Transboundary Pollution & Youth Action: Lagos’ LASEPA convened students on tackling transboundary pollution, warning how air pollution can spread across borders and affect places like Benin and beyond. Benin’s Investment Pitch: Benin’s foreign minister told South Korea that political stability and regional connectivity make Benin a gateway for West Africa, seeking deeper cooperation on investment and industrial development. Sahel Security Spillover: A JNIM-linked attack on Benin’s northern border area left at least 47 soldiers feared dead, underscoring how the Sahel crisis is pushing deeper into Benin. Maritime Environment & Sanctions: France detained a suspected Russian “shadow fleet” tanker in the Atlantic, saying the move also protects the environment from sanctions-busting operations. Health & Environment Link: A Benin City medical expert warned Lassa fever is often mistaken for malaria, stressing faster testing to prevent severe outbreaks.